1
|
Lim L. Modifying Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology with photobiomodulation: model, evidence, and future with EEG-guided intervention. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1407785. [PMID: 39246604 PMCID: PMC11377238 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1407785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024] Open
Abstract
This manuscript outlines a model of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) pathophysiology in progressive layers, from its genesis to the development of biomarkers and then to symptom expression. Genetic predispositions are the major factor that leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and subsequent amyloid and tau protein accumulation, which have been identified as hallmarks of AD. Extending beyond these accumulations, we explore a broader spectrum of pathophysiological aspects, including the blood-brain barrier, blood flow, vascular health, gut-brain microbiodata, glymphatic flow, metabolic syndrome, energy deficit, oxidative stress, calcium overload, inflammation, neuronal and synaptic loss, brain matter atrophy, and reduced growth factors. Photobiomodulation (PBM), which delivers near-infrared light to selected brain regions using portable devices, is introduced as a therapeutic approach. PBM has the potential to address each of these pathophysiological aspects, with data provided by various studies. They provide mechanistic support for largely small published clinical studies that demonstrate improvements in memory and cognition. They inform of PBM's potential to treat AD pending validation by large randomized controlled studies. The presentation of brain network and waveform changes on electroencephalography (EEG) provide the opportunity to use these data as a guide for the application of various PBM parameters to improve outcomes. These parameters include wavelength, power density, treatment duration, LED positioning, and pulse frequency. Pulsing at specific frequencies has been found to influence the expression of waveforms and modifications of brain networks. The expression stems from the modulation of cellular and protein structures as revealed in recent studies. These findings provide an EEG-based guide for the use of artificial intelligence to personalize AD treatment through EEG data feedback.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lew Lim
- Vielight Inc., Toronto, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Rudd KD, Lawler K, Callisaya ML, Bindoff AD, Chiranakorn-Costa S, Li R, McDonald JS, Salmon K, Noyce AJ, Vickers JC, Alty J. Hand Motor Dysfunction Is Associated with Both Subjective and Objective Cognitive Impairment across the Dementia Continuum. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2024:1-11. [PMID: 39074458 DOI: 10.1159/000540412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Motor dysfunction is an important feature of early-stage dementia. Gait provides a non-invasive biomarker across the dementia continuum. Gait speed and rhythm aid risk stratification of incident dementia in subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) and are associated with cognitive domains in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. However, hand movement analysis, which may be more accessible, has never been undertaken in SCI and rarely in MCI or dementia. We aimed to address this gap and improve understanding of hand motor-cognitive associations across the dementia continuum. METHODS A total of 208 participants were recruited: 50 with dementia, 58 MCI, 40 SCI, and 60 healthy controls. Consensus diagnoses were made after comprehensive gold-standard assessments. A computer key-tapping test measured frequency, dwell-time, rhythm, errors, and speed. Associations between key-tapping and cognitive domains and diagnoses were analysed using regression. Classification accuracy was measured using area under receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS Hand frequency and speed were associated with memory and executive domains (p ≤ 0.001). Non-dominant hand rhythm was associated with all cognitive domains. Frequency, rhythm, and speed were associated with SCI, MCI, and dementia. Frequency and speed classified ≥94% of dementia and ≥88% of MCI from controls. Rhythm of the non-dominant hand classified ≥86% of dementia and MCI and 69% of SCI. CONCLUSION Our findings show hand motor dysfunction occurs across the dementia continuum and, similar to gait, is associated with executive and memory domains and with cognitive diagnoses. Key-tapping performance differentiated dementia and MCI from healthy controls. More research is required before recommending key-tapping as a non-invasive motor biomarker of cognitive impairment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaylee D Rudd
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Katherine Lawler
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michele L Callisaya
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- Peninsula Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Aidan D Bindoff
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | | | - Renjie Li
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - James S McDonald
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- School of Psychology, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Katharine Salmon
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Alastair J Noyce
- Centre for Preventive Neurology, Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - James C Vickers
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Jane Alty
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Chavarría-Elizondo P, Del Río-Torné C, Maturana-Quijada P, Martínez-Zalacaín I, Juaneda A, Del Cerro I, Guinea-Izquierdo A, Gascón-Bayarri J, Reñé-Ramírez R, Urretavizcaya M, Ferrer I, Menchón JM, Soria V, Soriano-Mas C. Altered activation of the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex during oddball performance in individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease. SPANISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY AND MENTAL HEALTH 2024:S2950-2853(24)00038-3. [PMID: 38992346 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjpmh.2024.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The neural mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disorders in the elderly remain elusive, despite extensive neuroimaging research in recent decades. Amnestic type mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and late-life major depressive disorder (MDD) are two such conditions characterized by intersecting cognitive and affective symptomatology, and they are at a higher risk for Alzheimer's disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study analyzed the neural underpinnings of cognitive and depressive symptoms in a cohort comprising 12 aMCI subjects, 24 late-life MDD patients, and 26 healthy controls (HCs). Participants underwent a detailed neuropsychological assessment and completed a visual attentional oddball task during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), with evaluations at baseline and at 2-year follow-up. RESULTS Initial findings showed that aMCI subjects had reduced dACC activation during oddball (target) stimulus detection, a pattern that persisted in longitudinal analyses and correlated with cognitive functioning measures. For HCs, subsequent dACC activation was linked to depression scores. Furthermore, in the affective-cognitive altered groups, later dACC activation correlated with oddball and memory performance. CONCLUSIONS These findings enhance our comprehension of the neurobiological basis of cognitive and depressive disturbances in aging, indicating that dACC activation in response to a visual attentional oddball task could serve as a neural marker for assessing cognitive impairment and depression in conditions predisposing to Alzheimer's disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Chavarría-Elizondo
- Psychiatry and Mental Health Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; Network Center for Biomedical Research on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carla Del Río-Torné
- Psychiatry and Mental Health Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Pablo Maturana-Quijada
- Psychiatry and Mental Health Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | | | - Asier Juaneda
- Psychiatry and Mental Health Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Inés Del Cerro
- Department of Psychology, Medical School, Catholic University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain; Worldwide Clinical Trials, Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrés Guinea-Izquierdo
- Psychiatry and Mental Health Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Jordi Gascón-Bayarri
- Dementia Diagnostic and Treatment Unit, Department of Neurology, Bellvitge University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ramón Reñé-Ramírez
- Dementia Diagnostic and Treatment Unit, Department of Neurology, Bellvitge University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mikel Urretavizcaya
- Psychiatry and Mental Health Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; Network Center for Biomedical Research on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Isidre Ferrer
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute-IDIBELL, Department of Pathologic Anatomy, Bellvitge University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain; Network Center for Biomedical Research on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain
| | - José M Menchón
- Psychiatry and Mental Health Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; Network Center for Biomedical Research on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Virginia Soria
- Psychiatry and Mental Health Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; Network Center for Biomedical Research on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain; Department of Mental Health, Parc Taulí University Hospital, Sabadell, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.
| | - Carles Soriano-Mas
- Psychiatry and Mental Health Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; Network Center for Biomedical Research on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain; Department of Social Psychology and Quantitative Psychology, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Callow DD, Spira AP, Zipunnikov V, Lu H, Wanigatunga SK, Rabinowitz JA, Albert M, Bakker A, Soldan A. Sleep and physical activity measures are associated with resting-state network segregation in non-demented older adults. Neuroimage Clin 2024; 43:103621. [PMID: 38823249 PMCID: PMC11179421 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2024.103621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Greater physical activity and better sleep are associated with reduced risk of cognitive decline and dementia among older adults, but little is known about their combined associations with measures of brain function and neuropathology. This study investigated potential independent and interactive cross-sectional relationships between actigraphy-estimated total volume of physical activity (TVPA) and sleep patterns [i.e., total sleep time (TST), sleep efficiency (SE)] with resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) measures of large scale network connectivity and positron emission tomography (PET) measures of amyloid-β. Participants were 135 non-demented older adults from the BIOCARD study (116 cognitively normal and 19 with mild cognitive impairment; mean age = 70.0 years). Using multiple linear regression analyses, we assessed the association between TVPA, TST, and SE with connectivity within the default-mode, salience, and fronto-parietal control networks, and with network modularity, a measure of network segregation. Higher TVPA and SE were independently associated with greater network modularity, although the positive relationship of SE with modularity was only present in amyloid-negative individuals. Additionally, higher TVPA was associated with greater connectivity within the default-mode network, while greater SE was related to greater connectivity within the salience network. In contrast, longer TST was associated with lower network modularity, particularly among amyloid-positive individuals, suggesting a relationship between longer sleep duration and greater network disorganization. Physical activity and sleep measures were not associated with amyloid positivity. These data suggest that greater physical activity levels and more efficient sleep may promote more segregated and potentially resilient functional networks and increase functional connectivity within specific large-scale networks and that the relationship between sleep and functional networks connectivity may depend on amyloid status.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel D Callow
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.
| | - Adam P Spira
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, the United States of America; Johns Hopkins Center on Aging and Health, Baltimore, MD, the United States of America
| | - Vadim Zipunnikov
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, the United States of America
| | - Hanzhang Lu
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, the United States of America; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, the United States of America
| | - Sarah K Wanigatunga
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, the United States of America
| | - Jill A Rabinowitz
- Department of Psychiatry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ US
| | - Marilyn Albert
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, the United States of America
| | - Arnold Bakker
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, the United States of America
| | - Anja Soldan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, the United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Alty J, Goldberg LR, Roccati E, Lawler K, Bai Q, Huang G, Bindoff AD, Li R, Wang X, St George RJ, Rudd K, Bartlett L, Collins JM, Aiyede M, Fernando N, Bhagwat A, Giffard J, Salmon K, McDonald S, King AE, Vickers JC. Development of a smartphone screening test for preclinical Alzheimer's disease and validation across the dementia continuum. BMC Neurol 2024; 24:127. [PMID: 38627686 PMCID: PMC11020184 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-024-03609-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dementia prevalence is predicted to triple to 152 million globally by 2050. Alzheimer's disease (AD) constitutes 70% of cases. There is an urgent need to identify individuals with preclinical AD, a 10-20-year period of progressive brain pathology without noticeable cognitive symptoms, for targeted risk reduction. Current tests of AD pathology are either too invasive, specialised or expensive for population-level assessments. Cognitive tests are normal in preclinical AD. Emerging evidence demonstrates that movement analysis is sensitive to AD across the disease continuum, including preclinical AD. Our new smartphone test, TapTalk, combines analysis of hand and speech-like movements to detect AD risk. This study aims to [1] determine which combinations of hand-speech movement data most accurately predict preclinical AD [2], determine usability, reliability, and validity of TapTalk in cognitively asymptomatic older adults and [3], prospectively validate TapTalk in older adults who have cognitive symptoms against cognitive tests and clinical diagnoses of Mild Cognitive Impairment and AD dementia. METHODS Aim 1 will be addressed in a cross-sectional study of at least 500 cognitively asymptomatic older adults who will complete computerised tests comprising measures of hand motor control (finger tapping) and oro-motor control (syllabic diadochokinesis). So far, 1382 adults, mean (SD) age 66.20 (7.65) years, range 50-92 (72.07% female) have been recruited. Motor measures will be compared to a blood-based AD biomarker, phosphorylated tau 181 to develop an algorithm that classifies preclinical AD risk. Aim 2 comprises three sub-studies in cognitively asymptomatic adults: (i) a cross-sectional study of 30-40 adults to determine the validity of data collection from different types of smartphones, (ii) a prospective cohort study of 50-100 adults ≥ 50 years old to determine usability and test-retest reliability, and (iii) a prospective cohort study of ~1,000 adults ≥ 50 years old to validate against cognitive measures. Aim 3 will be addressed in a cross-sectional study of ~200 participants with cognitive symptoms to validate TapTalk against Montreal Cognitive Assessment and interdisciplinary consensus diagnosis. DISCUSSION This study will establish the precision of TapTalk to identify preclinical AD and estimate risk of cognitive decline. If accurate, this innovative smartphone app will enable low-cost, accessible screening of individuals for AD risk. This will have wide applications in public health initiatives and clinical trials. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06114914, 29 October 2023. Retrospectively registered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jane Alty
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia.
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia.
- Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia.
| | - Lynette R Goldberg
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | - Eddy Roccati
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | - Katherine Lawler
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
- School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Quan Bai
- School of Information and Communication Technology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7005, Australia
| | - Guan Huang
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | - Aidan D Bindoff
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | - Renjie Li
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
- School of Information and Communication Technology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7005, Australia
| | - Xinyi Wang
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | - Rebecca J St George
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7005, Australia
| | - Kaylee Rudd
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | - Larissa Bartlett
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | - Jessica M Collins
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | - Mimieveshiofuo Aiyede
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | | | - Anju Bhagwat
- Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | - Julia Giffard
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | - Katharine Salmon
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
- Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | - Scott McDonald
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | - Anna E King
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | - James C Vickers
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Han L, Chan MY, Agres PF, Winter-Nelson E, Zhang Z, Wig GS. Measures of resting-state brain network segregation and integration vary in relation to data quantity: implications for within and between subject comparisons of functional brain network organization. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhad506. [PMID: 38385891 PMCID: PMC10883417 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Measures of functional brain network segregation and integration vary with an individual's age, cognitive ability, and health status. Based on these relationships, these measures are frequently examined to study and quantify large-scale patterns of network organization in both basic and applied research settings. However, there is limited information on the stability and reliability of the network measures as applied to functional time-series; these measurement properties are critical to understand if the measures are to be used for individualized characterization of brain networks. We examine measurement reliability using several human datasets (Midnight Scan Club and Human Connectome Project [both Young Adult and Aging]). These datasets include participants with multiple scanning sessions, and collectively include individuals spanning a broad age range of the adult lifespan. The measurement and reliability of measures of resting-state network segregation and integration vary in relation to data quantity for a given participant's scan session; notably, both properties asymptote when estimated using adequate amounts of clean data. We demonstrate how this source of variability can systematically bias interpretation of differences and changes in brain network organization if appropriate safeguards are not included. These observations have important implications for cross-sectional, longitudinal, and interventional comparisons of functional brain network organization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liang Han
- Center for Vital Longevity and School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75235, United States
| | - Micaela Y Chan
- Center for Vital Longevity and School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75235, United States
| | - Phillip F Agres
- Center for Vital Longevity and School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75235, United States
| | - Ezra Winter-Nelson
- Center for Vital Longevity and School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75235, United States
| | - Ziwei Zhang
- Center for Vital Longevity and School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75235, United States
| | - Gagan S Wig
- Center for Vital Longevity and School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75235, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Li R, Wang X, Lawler K, Garg S, St George RJ, Bindoff AD, Bartlett L, Roccati E, King AE, Vickers JC, Bai Q, Alty J. Brief webcam test of hand movements predicts episodic memory, executive function, and working memory in a community sample of cognitively asymptomatic older adults. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2024; 16:e12520. [PMID: 38274411 PMCID: PMC10809289 DOI: 10.1002/dad2.12520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Low-cost simple tests for preclinical Alzheimer's disease are a research priority. We evaluated whether remote unsupervised webcam recordings of finger-tapping were associated with cognitive performance in older adults. METHODS A total of 404 cognitively-asymptomatic participants (64.6 [6.77] years; 70.8% female) completed 10-second finger-tapping tests (Tasmanian [TAS] Test) and cognitive tests (Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery [CANTAB]) online at home. Regression models including hand movement features were compared with null models (comprising age, sex, and education level); change in Akaike Information Criterion greater than 2 (ΔAIC > 2) denoted statistical difference. RESULTS Hand movement features improved prediction of episodic memory, executive function, and working memory scores (ΔAIC > 2). Dominant hand features outperformed nondominant hand features for episodic memory (ΔAIC = 2.5), executive function (ΔAIC = 4.8), and working memory (ΔAIC = 2.2). DISCUSSION This brief webcam test improved prediction of cognitive performance compared to age, sex, and education. Finger-tapping holds potential as a remote language-agnostic screening tool to stratify community cohorts at risk for cognitive decline.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Renjie Li
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education CentreUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
- School of ICTUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Xinyi Wang
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education CentreUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Katherine Lawler
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education CentreUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
- School of Allied HealthHuman Services and SportLa Trobe UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Saurabh Garg
- School of ICTUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | | | - Aidan D. Bindoff
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education CentreUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Larissa Bartlett
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education CentreUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Eddy Roccati
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education CentreUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Anna E. King
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education CentreUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - James C. Vickers
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education CentreUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Quan Bai
- School of ICTUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Jane Alty
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education CentreUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
- School of MedicineUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
- Neurology DepartmentRoyal Hobart HospitalHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Chong JSX, Tan YJ, Koh AJ, Ting SKS, Kandiah N, Ng ASL, Zhou JH. Plasma Neurofilament Light Relates to Divergent Default and Salience Network Connectivity in Alzheimer's Disease and Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 99:965-980. [PMID: 38759005 PMCID: PMC11191491 DOI: 10.3233/jad-231251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Background Alzheimer's disease (AD) and behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) show differential vulnerability to large-scale brain functional networks. Plasma neurofilament light (NfL), a promising biomarker of neurodegeneration, has been linked in AD patients to glucose metabolism changes in AD-related regions. However, it is unknown whether plasma NfL would be similarly associated with disease-specific functional connectivity changes in AD and bvFTD. Objective Our study examined the associations between plasma NfL and functional connectivity of the default mode and salience networks in patients with AD and bvFTD. Methods Plasma NfL and neuroimaging data from patients with bvFTD (n = 16) and AD or mild cognitive impairment (n = 38; AD + MCI) were analyzed. Seed-based functional connectivity maps of key regions within the default mode and salience networks were obtained and associated with plasma NfL in these patients. RESULTS We demonstrated divergent associations between NfL and functional connectivity in AD + MCI and bvFTD patients. Specifically, AD + MCI patients showed lower default mode network functional connectivity with higher plasma NfL, while bvFTD patients showed lower salience network functional connectivity with higher plasma NfL. Further, lower NfL-related default mode network connectivity in AD + MCI patients was associated with lower Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores and higher Clinical Dementia Rating sum-of-boxes scores, although NfL-related salience network connectivity in bvFTD patients was not associated with Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire scores. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that plasma NfL is differentially associated with brain functional connectivity changes in AD and bvFTD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Su Xian Chong
- Centre for Sleep and Cognition & Centre for Translational Magnetic Resonance Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Human Potential Translational Research Programme and Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yi Jayne Tan
- Department of Neurology, National Neuroscience Institute, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
| | - Amelia Jialing Koh
- Centre for Sleep and Cognition & Centre for Translational Magnetic Resonance Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Human Potential Translational Research Programme and Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Simon Kang Seng Ting
- Department of Neurology, National Neuroscience Institute, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
| | - Nagaendran Kandiah
- Department of Neurology, National Neuroscience Institute, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
| | - Adeline Su Lyn Ng
- Department of Neurology, National Neuroscience Institute, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
| | - Juan Helen Zhou
- Centre for Sleep and Cognition & Centre for Translational Magnetic Resonance Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Human Potential Translational Research Programme and Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Integrative Sciences and Engineering Programme (ISEP), NUS Graduate School, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Neuroscience and Behavioural Disorders Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|